Fundamentals Ch. 14 -- Scatter

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A device that restricts the size of the x-ray field to only the anatomic structure of interest

What is cone cutting?

Misalignment of cones that may interfere with the x-ray beam

What is collimation?

the restriction of the useful beam to reduce patient dose and improve image contrast

What are image-forming x-rays?

X-rays that travel through the patient and enter the IR

What is off-focus radiation?

X-rays produced in the anode but interact at positions on the anode other than the focal spot

What is a positive beam limitation device?

A feature of radiographic collimators that automatically adjusts the radiation field to the size of the IR

What is scatter radiation?

X-rays scattered back in the direction of the incident x-ray beam. They go in a direction other than straight. Produced by compton interactions.

List the two principle characteristics of any image

Spatial resolution (ability to image small objects that have high subject contrast), and contrast resolution (ability to distinguish between and to image similar tissues)

List the two principle tools used to control scatter

Beam restrictors and grids

Factors that contribute to scatter radiation

kVp, field size, and patient thickness

How does each factor contribute to scatter radiation?

kVp affects penetrability of beam--an increase causes fewer x-rays to interact with matter, but more compton interactions ; Field size is controlled by the tech and as it increases the scatter increases ; Patient thickness is a factor because the thicker the body part, the more scatter it yields

How do we reduce the effect of the factors contributing to scatter?

kVp should be used at the lowest reasonable setting ; Field size should be decreased, but to keep the same OD exposure factors should be increased ; Using compression is a way to reduce scatter for thicker patient parts

Three types of beam restrictors

Aperture diaphragm, cones and cylinders, variable aperture collimator

What is the physical makeup of each beam restrictor?

Aperture diaphragm=flad sheet of lead w/ hole in center. It attaches to the tube port ; Cones and cylinders=circular diaphragms with extensions. These extensions are added to the tube port. Cones flare or diverge and cylinders do not. Cylinder more frequently used ; Variable aperture collimators=light localizing and can be automatic (PBL)